New UFC interim bantamweight champion Petr Yan believes lineal champion Aljamain Sterling will continue to avoid a rematch with him, because he thinks has taken up residence on a nice plot of land inside “Funkmaster’s” head.
On Saturday at UFC 267, Yan (16-2) once again showcased why he is a special talent in the UFC’s 135-pound division. Over five rounds, “No Mercy” was able to do what few have been able to by standing for 25 minutes with a dangerous striker in Cory Sandhagen (14-4) and earning a clean and controversy-free victory. It was a performance that stamped his place as a pound-for-pound talent and put him alongside the likes of Max Holloway as one of the best boxers in the UFC.
However, on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi, the 28-year-old was originally set to face Sterling (20-3) in a rematch of their March title fight from UFC 259. A bout Yan lost by disqualification, after landing an illegal knee on a downed Sterling. Unfortunately, the New Yorker dropped out in September because his surgically repaired neck had not fully recovered following a procedure he underwent in the spring.
Petr Yan believes he owns a plot of real estate in Aljamain Sterling’s head
Yan’s loss to Sterling obviously sticks in his Russian craw because — similar to his scrap with Sandhagen — after a first-round where he got the measure of his opponent, the following rounds became a red wave as he jumped out to a notable lead. The fourth round with Sterling was his best of the fight, however, it was also the round where he landed the fight-ending illegal blow.
Making the rematch a reality has been no simple task, and with Sterling falling out of a booking that took seven months to make, Yan believes his rival is avoiding the bout, and he expects him to “run again.” Because he claims the American has a small “chicken heart,” and has the Russian star stuck in his head.
“I live inside his head. The man who ran away once will always run again. He has a chicken heart, very small,” Yan told The MMA Hour through an interpreter on Monday [h/t BJPenn]. “I know it’s called an interim belt, but in fact, it has all the functions of the real belt, too. When I get the chance and opportunity to beat up Sterling again, I will do it in a more dominant way to leave no doubts who the real champion is … I’m going to hurt him real bad this time.”
Do you agree with Yan, and Sterling will avoid a rematch because “No Mercy” is in his head?
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